perennial bed cleared and planted

Ridiculously, I did not take a before picture. Before was five unwanted bushes and trees, piles of weeds, ivy, and a mess. After four of the stumps were hauled off, I still had three days of pulling weeds, and the best I can give you is some of what I pulled up after the stumps were gone. The first is english ivy, a section of root longer than I am tall, with my reliable hand adz for size comparison.

There's also this old pic of weediness in another bed to give you some idea--though this perennial bed was much worse: 

And I spread a bag of peat and one of cow manure, worked them in, and planted gifts from sisters and plants I'd bought. I was able to save two tiny things from the garden this once was (a woman who lived here 5+ years ago was a good gardener, and I'm sure this was once a great bed, but when I moved in, the brick border was invisible under weeds and it was a mess.

So as of 10:30 this morning, this is what I have. I'm pleased. And freakin' sore!